Multiple socket wrench



Oct. 18, 1 949. cfw. ROESCHKE MULTIPLE SOCKET WRENCH Filed Jul 2, 1946Inventor Cam/P40 WFoEscH/rE nwv Attorneys Patented Oct. 18, 1949 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE- MULTIPLE SOCKET WRENCH Conrad W. Roeschke, Santa.Fe, N. Mex.

Application July 2,1946, Serial No. 680,944

2 Claims. 1

My invention consists oi an improved multiple socket wrench and morespecifically relates to a wrench having a plurality of concentric,nested sockets, of graduated sizes which are selectively engageable witha headed bolt or the like.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a socket wrench ofthis type wherein any desired socket may be readily applied to the work,all sockets of smaller diameter being automatically retracted; wherein aturning force of the same moment may be applied to the wrench,regardless of the socket being used; and wherein the wrench is ofsimplified construction.

These, together with various ancillary objects to become later apparentas the following description proceeds, are attained by my device, oneembodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, being taken substantially uponthe line 3--3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional'view, taken substantially upon theline 44 of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2 of of the accompanyingdrawings, numeral II] denotes generally my improved wrench whichconsists of a plurality of concentric tubular shanks, three beingindicated for convenience at l2, l4 and [6, although it will be readilyapparent that any desired number may be employed. These shanks may be ofany desired shape, although as illustrated, they are of tubular crosssection, and may extend for any convenient length.

At their lower ends, the shanks are flanged laterally to provide annularshoulders I8, 20 and 22 respectively, said shoulders having downwardlydepending skirt portions 24, 26 and 28 constituting the polygonal shapedwalls of sockets for engaging the headed ends of bolts or the like. Itis intended that the nested sockets shall constitute a graduated seriesof wrench openings for engaging a series of bolts.

Axially of the socket and shank elements, is a retainer consisting of atubular rod 38 having an enlarged, headed upper end 32 and an outwardlyflanged lower end 34 for retaining the innermost socket 24 and hence theconcentric sockets thereon. The head 32 is formed with a series ofaxially spaced, concentric annular shoulders 36, 38 aligned with each ofthe inner shanks l2 and M, the end of the outermost shank l6 beingwelded, threaded or otherwise rigidly united to the periphery of thehead 32. The outer shank l6 and socket 28 together with the tube 38constitute a retaining means for the assembly of socket members. Aseries of concentric springs 48, 42 are disposed between the upper endsof the aligned shanks and stepped shoulders, there being sufflcientclearance to accommodate the operative reciprocation of the innersockets and shanks as now set forth.

As will be readily seen from Figure 2, the downward and upward movementof the sockets is limited by the distance between the flange 34 and thelower surface of flange 22. This distance is so selected as toaccommodate the thickness of a standard size nut or bolt head,whereby'all the sockets of a smaller size than the headed object areable to retract into the shank of the operative socket against theresistance of their respective springs.

If for example the socket 28 is employed, the

upper surface of the nut or bolt head will cause the telescoping ofsockets 26 and 24 and of shanks l4 and [2 into the outer member. Whenthe innermost socket 24 is employed, the middle socket 26 is free torise in the outer socket 28 to permit complete seating of the socket 24upon the work. When the middle socket 26 is employed, it recedes untilits lower edge is flush with that of socket 28, and recedes completelywhen socket 28 is employed; while the inner member 24 is lifted againstthe action of its spring 46 by the work until the latter is fully seatedin the socket 26.

When engaged with the work, a wrench may be applied to the periphery ofthe outermost socket 28, the torque being transmitted through successivesocket walls to the element in operative position. Obviously, any othermeans may be employed to turn the outer shank or socket and thereby theselected element. The axial bore in tube 30 provides a ready means forinserting a probe to detach a nut or bolt head which is frozen in theselected recess.

aligned with said shanks and constituting spring 10 seats, andconcentric spring means interposed between said shoulders and saidshanks, each of said socket portions comprising a laterally flangedmember having upper and lower surfaces, the surfaces of the outersockets being 5 4 vertically spaced to provide a predetermined verticalmovement for said sockets, relative to each other, and the inner socketbeing nested within the outer sockets.

CONRAD W. ROESCHKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date at nas Tuttle Oct. 15, 19181,346,061 Rosenberg July 6, 1920 1,471,451 Crimp Oct. 23, 1923

